Sponsor: Veterans Services
Title
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Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs for the Functional Zero Project
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Recommendation
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1. Approve an amendment to the joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs, 435 Wabasha Street North #120, Saint Paul, MN 55102, for the Homelessness Mission - Functional Zero Project for the period of June 24, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in the not-to-exceed amount of $400,000 in accordance with the rates established in the agreement.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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Minnesota aims to be one of four states in the nation to end veteran homelessness by reaching a statewide goal of Functional Zero for Homeless Veterans. Functional Zero is a milestone that demonstrates success when fewer people are experiencing homelessness than are routinely exiting homelessness at any given time. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs understands that Minnesota’s two most populous areas, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, will require significant effort and resources to achieve the state of Minnesota’s Functional Zero goal.
Funding is being used to support one intermittent Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position in Ramsey County Veterans Services, which is being used to collaborate and identify veterans in the county and connect them to the Homeless Veteran Registry, which helps veterans get connected to specific housing and services. As part of their duties, the staff member attends the weekly Functional Zero collaboration meetings that includes representation from Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs and Ramsey County Veterans Services department. The amendment to this agreement is extending the time of the agreement through June 30, 2026.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Currently, there are 41 homeless veterans in Ramsey County. Of that total, 3 identify as chronic or long-term homeless. In addition, 26 of the 41 are eligible for Veteran Affairs services.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Functional Zero collaborative meets weekly and is made up of many community representatives including Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, Veterans Affairs, Ramsey County Veterans Services department, Ramsey Continuum of Care, and various outreach staff. This working group coordinates case conferencing, verifies veteran status, troubleshoots barriers to housing, and ensures that no veteran falls through the cracks. In the past year, Ramsey County has identified 123 homeless veterans through the Homeless Veterans Registry (HVR), 36 of those veterans were considered not eligible, 46 veterans were housed, and 41 veterans are actively on the Homeless Veterans Registry.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The joint powers agreement amendment will increase grant revenues and expenditures in the Functional Zero Project grant by $100,000 from the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs over the period of July 2025 through June 2026.
Last Previous Action
On June 4, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for the period of November 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025, in the not-to-exceed amount of $300,000 (Resolution B2024-101).
Attachments
1. Amendment Four to Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs